Renewable Energy

The Paris Agreement requires the EU to speed up the ongoing transition away from polluting fossil fuels and towards 100% renewables. The goals of the Agreement to achieve a carbon free economy fast enough to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degree C mean vast new opportunities for jobs and competitiveness, but also some challenges in terms of ensuring the sustainability of the energy systems.

CAN Europe made a submission on the European Commission’s Consultation a sustainable bioenergy policy for the period after 2020.

The briefing on the renewables directive was developed in spring 2016 to give a brief overview and update on the renewables directive and its relevance for EU climate policy after the UNFCCC international climate agreement that was made in Paris in December 2015.

With over 60% of EU’s renewable energy coming from bioenergy (only partly subject to sustainability criteria and greenhouse gas accounting), the Renewable Energy Directive has only partially helped achieving the EU’s energy and climate goals. Without appropriate planning and safeguards, some large-scale renewable energy deployment has also caused negative environmental impacts.

Towards a resilient Energy Union with a forward looking Climate Change policy. This paper is intended to present some initial NGO views on the issue.

The Energy Union package has not lived up to expectations to accelerate a shift to a fossil fuel free economy in the EU so far, according to Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe. While the project remains a puzzle, the EU needs strong and coherent legislative proposals, expected next year, to stay ahead of the game on climate action.

All countries have committed to a long term goal of keeping global warming below 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels. In Paris countries are looking into translating the 2°C target into a more concrete long term goal.

One year since the entry into office of the current European Commission headed by Jean-Claude Juncker, environmental groups have criticised the EU executive for a paralysis in policymaking on issues related to the environment.

Economic stakeholders will continue play a huge role in the energy transition and have a real responsibility. Their (investments) decisions will be crucial in the struggle to tackle climate change. Two thirds of current greenhouse gas emissions are attributable to only 90 companies (mainly active in the fossil fuels sector). Their choices and actions will be crucial to prevent the world from warming up more than two degrees.

With the Paris Climate Summit fast approaching, we hear more and more talk about an energy transition towards a 100% renewable energy future and the urgency to phase out fossil fuels and nuclear power. However, do you really know why renewable energy is the only only way forward? Here are the reasons why transitioning to renewable energy is not only desirable but absolutely necessary.

CAN Europe made a submission to the European Commission’s Consultation on new Energy Market Design.

CAN Europe made a submission on the European Commission’s Consultation on a EU strategy for liquefied natural gas and gas storage. 

Call for 100% renewables for people and climate ahead of Paris talks

Binding national targets have been key to the successful development of renewable energy in the European Union so far, writes Jean-François Fauconnier.

Call from renewable energy, energy efficiency and environmental associations

The European Council’s guidance from last year for 2030 targets for renewable energy and energy efficiency falls far short of the EU’s potentials.

Without tapping those potentials, the EU will miss out on major benefits for the economy, employment, energy security and climate action. Ending the historic bias towards fossil fuels requires higher ambition on energy

Europe must translate renewable energy ambition into law to maintain leadership

Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, Greenpeace and WWF today called on the European Commission to propose a strong set of policies to ensure all countries contribute to delivering and surpassing the EU’s 2030 renewable energy target.

EU Energy Ministers meeting in Brussels today recognised “indigenous resources” – codename for nuclear, shale gas and coal – as one of the key drivers of European energy security. According to Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, it is high time for the Ministers to take their pick and clearly acknowledge that the EU's energy dependency can only be tackled in a safe and sustainable manner through energy efficiency and renewables.

CAN Europe is asking for more ambition in the fight against climate change and a 100% renewables target by 2050.

In contrast, in Europe employment in renewable energy sector has declined

On 19 May, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) released the 2015 edition of its Renewable Energy Jobs Review. The report shows that the number of people employed by the renewable energy industry increased by 18% and more than one million worldwide in the last year, reaching 7.7 million jobs.

In sharp contrast, according to the IRENA report, renewable energy